The Rare Medical Condition The Middle Star Atticus Shaffer Lives With

May 2024 ยท 2 minute read

Atticus Shaffer thanks his mother for inspiring his road to acting, going the distance to ensure his disorder never held him back. When he was born, doctors told her that he would probably be using a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But Shaffer's mom was determined to not let her son end up with a wheelchair. In an April 2015 interview with Hollywood.com, Shaffer said, "If it wasn't for my mum, I would not be standing here, actually standing. That's what's so cool about my mum. She was there for me and she never wanted me to feel any different."

But Shaffer still has faced his challenges with the disorder. For one, he's experienced several fractures in both his legs and backs. As a result, the actor has had to have multiple surgeries. In a January 2019 interview with PureFlix, Shaffer opened up about the painful experience. "I do know pain. I've had many fractures in my life ... I've had plates, screws, rods put in through all my legs, my back is in an s-curve because of it." He's said the condition has helped him find his faith, even getting baptized. 

Despite being prone to fractures, Shaffer doesn't believe his disorder has affected his acting career. In an interview with The Stuff, Shaffer said that he just had to be extra careful when on set. "I am still very able-bodied. This in no way disables me. It is a part of me but it is not me."

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